This 171.4-mile drive from Montclair, VA to Portsmouth, VA is a manageable 3-hour and 20-minute journey, making it an excellent candidate for a single-day road trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 79% of the drive on major interstates, including I-95 and I-64. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, it's an economical option for covering ground between these two Southeast region destinations. You'll find this drive to be straightforward and efficient, designed for getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.7 miles from Montclair, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 171.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 171.4-mile route, with a significant 79% of the drive utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 66.8 miles on I-95, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the journey involves high-speed travel, the transition between I-95 and I-64, and then onto the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, provides a sense of progression. This drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 66.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.2 miles in near I 95.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 171.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 21.2 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
21.2 mi into trip|~27m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
69.8 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
84.7 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
148.7 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 264
Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suff...
8
160.7 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 8B
Toward VA 135 South: College Drive, Churchland
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Montclair, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Norfolk
69.8 mi in|~1h 20m
Va Beach
69.8 mi in|~1h 20m
Virginia Beach
84.7 mi in|~1h 36m
Suffolk
148.7 mi in|~2h 49m
Chesapeake
148.7 mi in|~2h 49m
Churchland
160.7 mi in|~3h 4m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
66.8 mi
1h 14m
I 64
62.7 mi
1h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
7.2 mi
9m
Western Freeway
5.8 mi
7m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
Dumfries Road
1.7 mi
2m
College Drive
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montclair, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on Fallstone Place
0.1 mi·28 sec·Fallstone Place
2
Turn right onto SR 1451
0.8 mi·1 min·Waterway Drive
3
Turn left onto SR 1450
0.1 mi·22 sec·Country Club Drive
4
At end of road, turn left onto VA 234
1.7 mi·2 min·Dumfries Road
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
6
Merge onto I 95
18 mi·20 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 64
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
15
Continue on I 664
1.1 mi·1 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 8BToward VA 135 South: College Drive, ChurchlandUse the right lane.
17
Continue on VA 135
1.4 mi·2 min·College Drive
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA 164 East: Downtown Portsmouth
19
Merge onto VA 164
5.8 mi·7 min·Western Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi·46 sec·Martin Luther King Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown PortsmouthUse the right lane.
22
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi·2 min·London Boulevard
23
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi·11 sec·Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi·1 min·High Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on High Street
201 ft·20 sec·High Street
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 20-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure from Montclair to Portsmouth. To maximize your time, consider departing in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach larger populated areas. With only one stop suggested for this 171.4-mile route, you have flexibility in timing your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without an exit is 66.8 miles on I-95, and plan your refueling accordingly to stay within your estimated $27 fuel budget.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 85.7 miles from Montclair, VA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 38 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.7 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Montclair, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Montclair, VA
This is one driving day of about 171.4 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Montclair, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 66.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.7 mi from Montclair, VA
· 1h 39m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
$15
near mile 130
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 147.8
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 88.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.80 one way
$53.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$29.31
$58.61
premium
$4.70
$31.72
$63.44
diesel
$5.61
$37.84
$75.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.4
0
$18.00
$8.23
Efficient EV
42.9
0
$15.00
$6.86
EV Truck/SUV
68.6
0
$24.00
$10.97
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Montclair, VA
Evening
in Montclair on Friday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Evening
in Portsmouth on Friday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Williamsburg, VA
86 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 20m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Montclair, VA to Portsmouth, VA covers 171.4 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, I 64, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.7 miles from Montclair, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.80 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 171.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.2 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Montclair, VA and Portsmouth, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Churchland.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
